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nemn · 08-09-2009, 07:53 PM

I was just curious if anyone has tried any of those birth controls that allows you to only have 4 periods a year?
I'm about to start my first year of college in a dorm and I sometimes will get heavier periods that will leak while I sleep, and I think having 4 periods a year will help me feel more comfortable.

I was on normal birth control when I was a little younger due to my period lasting way longer than it should have, and I really had no side effects along with it.

I've researched them a bit but I was wondering if any of you had tried it or know of anyone who has.
Thanks!

ssandra · 08-09-2009, 09:07 PM

I have a IUS (Intrauterine system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) which allowed me after 6 months not to have any bleedings anymore.

Once a month I have a few hours of very mild cramps. That´s all. It is wonderful!!

Some doctors don´t give you one if you have not had a child yet, but you just keep on looking to one that does. The reason why they don´t is because the old IUD was not healthy for women that hadn´t given birth yet (or there was a higher rate of something going wrong or something like that.. my doctor explained it to me, but it has been a long time ago)

I have had one for 5 years in a row, never any problems. I am now using my second one, since the hormones only last for around 5 years.

The hormones by the way are only a fraction of the hormones in the pill. Hardly any effect on your body (or mine at least).

Mirena

funchy · 08-09-2009, 09:21 PM

A long time ago I did Depo Provera which gives fewer and lighter periods (sometimes none at all). For me, it screwed up my system to much and made me very sick, to the point I was going to Johns Hopkins to see specialists... until we figured out it was the Depo. But for some people it works great. There is also the intra-uterine IUD type hormone and a long-term under-the-skin version you can also look into. Your doctor can tell you which one is best for your situation.

I may sound crazy, but I don't mind the periods. It's a normal process, and if I have one I'm not wondering if I am pregnant and not know it. If you leak at night, you could go with the "nighttime" maxis. Some people also like the high absorbency tampons (and you could use a large maxi just to be safe). A darker colored old pair of shorts also helps to control nighttime leakage when everything else fails. Pre-rinse anything that did get soiled in cold water, then wash, and the stains should come out. Try not to let it bother you if a little leak happens.

MiBeloved · 08-09-2009, 11:52 PM

I am not a woman but I feel to say that you cannot know if there are side effects in the short term. Side effects may surface in the long term, in years and for that matter any negative consequences such as genetic alteration and organ change may never be traced.

It is a chance nearly every woman is taking.

Indiana · 08-09-2009, 11:57 PM

I have come off the Pill after around a decade on it. I have no idea if it has affected my fertility or not.

I regularly skipped periods on the Pill by not taking the white tablets - this was just a regular Pill, not Seasonale - and my doctor said that was totally fine. I would usually have around six periods a year.

There is evidence to suggest that skipping periods helps reduce the risk of breast cancer in the same way that pregnancy helps reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Breast cancers often form as a result of mutations occurring when the breast goes through hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle. Reducing the number of menstrual cycles (through skipping periods on the Pill or being pregnant) may have a small protective effect against breast cancer.

Regular Pill use also has a significant protective effect against ovarian cancer, which is another reason I took it (after you have been on it for several years, the protective effect continues even after you go off it) as my paternal grandmother died of ovarian cancer at an age younger than I am now.

Holistic Star · 08-10-2009, 10:56 AM

I was on the depo provera too for 4 years and I think it messed my hormonal system up.

If you have problems with leaking - look into getting a mooncup. I"ve had mine for 3 years now and love it! It took a little getting used to, but once I did it makes that time of the month so much easier.

There's other benefits such as being better for the environment, reducing risk of toxic shock syndrome and thrush from tampons. And also cost as it's a one off purchase.

I should have shares in it really shouldn't it!

Mooncup Menstrual Cup.

CoolBee · 08-10-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holistic Star

I was on the depo provera too for 4 years and I think it messed my hormonal system up.

If you have problems with leaking - look into getting a mooncup. I"ve had mine for 3 years now and love it! It took a little getting used to, but once I did it makes that time of the month so much easier.

There's other benefits such as being better for the environment, reducing risk of toxic shock syndrome and thrush from tampons. And also cost as it's a one off purchase.

I should have shares in it really shouldn't it!

Mooncup Menstrual Cup.

I have one of these - it was fantastic (my days are now past)! I had bad problems at one point - bleeding almost a pint of blood a day (thick clots etc) - this thing was fab. I wish I had known about this when I was younger it would have saved me an absolute fortune!

nemn · 08-10-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssandra

Once a month I have a few hours of very mild craps.

Mirena

Haha, CRAPS?!!!?

Sorry, I'm still young and think that is funny..
anyway, Thanks everyone for all the input.
That mooncup thing kind of freaks me out but I could see how it would work a ton better and be less of a hassle.
I'm still thinking about what I should do, and your input helps! thanks!

aelle · 08-10-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssandra

I have a IUS (Intrauterine system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) which allowed me after 6 months not to have any bleedings anymore.

Once a month I have a few hours of very mild craps. That´s all. It is wonderful!!

Some doctors don´t give you one if you have not had a child yet, but you just keep on looking to one that does. The reason why they don´t is because the old IUD was not healthy for women that hadn´t given birth yet (or there was a higher rate of something going wrong or something like that.. my doctor explained it to me, but it has been a long time ago)

I have had one for 5 years in a row, never any problems. I am now using my second one, since the hormones only last for around 5 years.

The hormones by the way are only a fraction of the hormones in the pill. Hardly any effect on your body (or mine at least).

Mirena

Ditto. Love my Mirena. I got mine at my local Planned Parenthood chapter since the doctors there are used to inserting them all day long and it went just fine! No one gave me any trouble for being childless either, and I don't depend on doctor visits, prescriptions and pharmacies year round for my contraception now. Plus knowing that it's the most efficient reversible contraceptive on the market and that I can't mess with it gives me such peace of mind!

Now I have very light periods (that justify the use of a pantyliner but not even a pad - my diva cup hasn't left my bathroom in months) and all the hormonal side effects I had on the pill are gone. What I disliked most about the pill was how it lowered and averaged out my libido, and that has definitely been resolved with the IUS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiBeloved

I am not a woman but I feel to say that you cannot know if there are side effects in the short term. Side effects may surface in the long term, in years and for that matter any negative consequences such as genetic alteration and organ change may never be traced.

It is a chance nearly every woman is taking.

You can, actually. Before the pill, with numerous pregnancies and extended breastfeeding many sexually active women managed to only have a few periods a year on average. Not having a period has never been shown to have any negative effect, while heavy periods are the main cause of anemia in women (and 25% of women in the Western world suffer from iron deficiency).

Nemn, you don't have to specifically go on Seasonique (or whatever the brand name is where you are) to skip periods on the pill. Seasonique has a very common composition and nothing special except for the 3 month packaging. You can absolutely do the same thing with any estroprogestative, monophased BC pill (estroprogestative means that it contains 2 hormones - if you take a 1 week break or take placebos every 4 weeks then your pill is this kind ; monophased means that the level of hormones is constant during 3 weeks - this is the most common kinds).

As Indiana pointed out, there are health advantages to being on the pill and skipping periods. Your doctor should have no problem with it. If they do, have them explain the science behind their answer.

nemn · 08-10-2009, 06:31 PM

Yeah, when I took the pill a few years ago, sometimes i would actually take them back to back, but you can only get your monthly pack of pills in a certain time frame, or at least mine were. So sometimes i would have to skip a few days before getting my new pack.

ssandra · 08-10-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemn

Haha, CRAPS?!!!?

Sorry, I'm still young and think that is funny..

It was funny... don´t apologize for your sense of humor.

Tnx for the warning... i´ve changed it.

08-09-2009, 07:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
nemn Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 10	Question for Women I was just curious if anyone has tried any of those birth controls that allows you to only have 4 periods a year? I'm about to start my first year of college in a dorm and I sometimes will get heavier periods that will leak while I sleep, and I think having 4 periods a year will help me feel more comfortable. I was on normal birth control when I was a little younger due to my period lasting way longer than it should have, and I really had no side effects along with it. I've researched them a bit but I was wondering if any of you had tried it or know of anyone who has. Thanks!

08-09-2009, 09:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
ssandra Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mexico City Posts: 11,168	I have a IUS (Intrauterine system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) which allowed me after 6 months not to have any bleedings anymore. Once a month I have a few hours of very mild cramps. That´s all. It is wonderful!! Some doctors don´t give you one if you have not had a child yet, but you just keep on looking to one that does. The reason why they don´t is because the old IUD was not healthy for women that hadn´t given birth yet (or there was a higher rate of something going wrong or something like that.. my doctor explained it to me, but it has been a long time ago) I have had one for 5 years in a row, never any problems. I am now using my second one, since the hormones only last for around 5 years. The hormones by the way are only a fraction of the hormones in the pill. Hardly any effect on your body (or mine at least). Mirena Last edited by ssandra; 08-10-2009 at 06:31 PM.

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08-09-2009, 09:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
funchy Family Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: east coast, USA Posts: 1,628	A long time ago I did Depo Provera which gives fewer and lighter periods (sometimes none at all). For me, it screwed up my system to much and made me very sick, to the point I was going to Johns Hopkins to see specialists... until we figured out it was the Depo. But for some people it works great. There is also the intra-uterine IUD type hormone and a long-term under-the-skin version you can also look into. Your doctor can tell you which one is best for your situation. I may sound crazy, but I don't mind the periods. It's a normal process, and if I have one I'm not wondering if I am pregnant and not know it. If you leak at night, you could go with the "nighttime" maxis. Some people also like the high absorbency tampons (and you could use a large maxi just to be safe). A darker colored old pair of shorts also helps to control nighttime leakage when everything else fails. Pre-rinse anything that did get soiled in cold water, then wash, and the stains should come out. Try not to let it bother you if a little leak happens.

08-09-2009, 11:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
MiBeloved Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 863	I am not a woman but I feel to say that you cannot know if there are side effects in the short term. Side effects may surface in the long term, in years and for that matter any negative consequences such as genetic alteration and organ change may never be traced. It is a chance nearly every woman is taking.

08-09-2009, 11:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Indiana Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,902	I have come off the Pill after around a decade on it. I have no idea if it has affected my fertility or not. I regularly skipped periods on the Pill by not taking the white tablets - this was just a regular Pill, not Seasonale - and my doctor said that was totally fine. I would usually have around six periods a year. There is evidence to suggest that skipping periods helps reduce the risk of breast cancer in the same way that pregnancy helps reduce the risk of breast cancer. Breast cancers often form as a result of mutations occurring when the breast goes through hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle. Reducing the number of menstrual cycles (through skipping periods on the Pill or being pregnant) may have a small protective effect against breast cancer. Regular Pill use also has a significant protective effect against ovarian cancer, which is another reason I took it (after you have been on it for several years, the protective effect continues even after you go off it) as my paternal grandmother died of ovarian cancer at an age younger than I am now.

08-10-2009, 10:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
Holistic Star Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,611	I was on the depo provera too for 4 years and I think it messed my hormonal system up. If you have problems with leaking - look into getting a mooncup. I"ve had mine for 3 years now and love it! It took a little getting used to, but once I did it makes that time of the month so much easier. There's other benefits such as being better for the environment, reducing risk of toxic shock syndrome and thrush from tampons. And also cost as it's a one off purchase. I should have shares in it really shouldn't it! Mooncup Menstrual Cup.

08-10-2009, 06:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
nemn Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 10	Yeah, when I took the pill a few years ago, sometimes i would actually take them back to back, but you can only get your monthly pack of pills in a certain time frame, or at least mine were. So sometimes i would have to skip a few days before getting my new pack.

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums